Christmas Card Warning About Gun Crime Dangers
Mothers in Liverpool, Knowsley and Sefton whose loved ones are believed to be involved in gun crime are receiving special Christmas cards this year.
Mothers in Liverpool, Knowsley and Sefton whose loved ones are believed to be involved in gun crime are receiving special Christmas cards this year.
The cards show bullets and handguns which have been arranged in the shape of a snowflake with the words ‘Together we can make gun crime fall this Christmas’. The message inside reads ‘Let’s make it a safe and happy one’. The cards have been sent to mothers and to influential women in the individual's lives including girlfriends and grandmothers.
It is hoped the card will encourage the women to think about the dangers their loved ones are placing themselves in and to take immediate action to deter their loved ones from becoming involved in gun crime and prevent them from being injured, or killed.
Detective Superintendent Lee Turner, of the specialist Matrix Serious Organised Crime unit, said: "We hope this will lead to the families of gun offenders talking about the dangers and consequences of firearms.
"There is a very real danger to all involved in gun crime and we urge mums, who know their sons, or daughters, are involved with gangs who use firearms to help them to get out of the vicious circle they may have found themselves in. "We all want the best for our children and we don't want to see them go to prison for their involvement in gun crime, or even worse taken away in a body bag as a result of what are often petty disputes.
"We know calling us with information will be one of the toughest decisions they will ever make but it could be a decision that saves not only their loved one's life but the life of the son, brother, nephew or husband of another woman."
He added: "We take gun crime extremely seriously and are committed to taking firearms and offenders off our streets.
"We want the communities whose lives are blighted by gun crime to take a stand and give us information about gun crime, anonymously if preferred, so we can act upon it and help eradicate gun crime."
Anyone with information about gun or gang crime is asked to call the Matrix team on 0800 230 0600. Alternatively, information can be left anonymously with the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.